A bookstore that sells its own candle scent called Pages sounds like a dare. Who bottles the smell of books?
This shop does, and it comes as a mist too.
Inside, knotty pine paneling covers the walls, and a fireplace adds to the cottage feel. The building dates back to 1907.
It sits on a hillside, so the lower level has its own street entrance one full story down.
I like how the place mixes books with vinyl records, puzzles, and stationery. It feels less like a store and more like a friend’s lake house with really good shelves.
I believe northern Michigan does cozy better than most places, and this shop proves it.
So how does a bookstore earn national praise while still feeling like a cottage? The answer starts at the front door.
The Knotty Pine Walls Do Half The Cozy Work For You
Cottage vibes hit first at McLean & Eakin Booksellers. Knotty pine paneling wraps the walls, and a fireplace anchors the room like a cabin living area.
That combination matters more than you might think. Wood walls make shelves feel warm instead of sterile, and the whole space feels lived in rather than staged.
Plenty of bookstores try for comfort with a single armchair and a sad lamp. This one builds it right into the bones of the room, so you don’t have to hunt for the cozy corner.
The store is often described as inviting, warm, and relaxing. It’s easy to see why once you notice how the wood tones soften every shelf and display.
My advice is simple. Slow down when you first arrive, and take a full lap before grabbing anything, because the setting deserves a moment.
Northern Michigan winters are long, and a room like this feels made for them. Even on a bright summer afternoon, though, the cabin feel turns a quick errand into a lingering browse.
Don’t be shocked if your plan to grab one paperback turns into an hour of happy wandering.
Don’t Skip The Stairs, Because The Store Keeps Going
Built in 1907, the G & A Building holds a clever surprise. It sits on a hillside, so the lower level gets its own street entrance at the back.
That lower entrance lands one full story below the main door on East Lake Street. In other words, the building has two front doors, depending on which side of the hill you’re standing on.
The shop covers about 5,000 square feet across those two stories. That’s a lot of room for a store that looks modest from the sidewalk.
Here’s the practical tip. Head downstairs before you decide you’ve seen everything, because some sections live only on that lower floor.
Shoppers who stay upstairs miss a whole second chapter. Think of the main floor as the opening act and the lower level as the plot twist you didn’t see coming.
The hillside layout also gives the building real character. Old downtown structures often hide quirks like this, and this one turned a steep slope into extra browsing space.
Bring comfortable shoes and a little patience, since two floors of books can make even a quick visit stretch.
Your Nose Might Want A Souvenir Too
Candles named after books are common. A candle named after the smell of the bookstore itself is a bolder move, and McLean & Eakin made it with its signature scent, Pages.
You can take it home as a candle or as a mist. Either way, it’s a sneaky way to bring the shop’s mood back to your own reading chair.
Gift shopping gets easier here too. Shelves stock stationery, greeting cards, and plenty of small treasures beyond the books.
The card selection deserves extra attention. If you’re the person who always forgets birthday cards, this is your chance to stock up for the whole year.
Puzzles also fill a big part of the store. Options cover both adults and kids, so a rainy cabin weekend has a backup plan.
I can’t imagine a better hostess gift for a lake house stay. A puzzle, a fresh novel, and a Pages candle makes a bundle that says you actually thought about it.
The scent is also a smart pick for readers who already own too many books, if such a person truly exists.
Vinyl Fans Get Their Own Reason To Linger
Records and books have always been good roommates. At this shop, they share space, with vinyl records and record players sitting alongside the shelves.
That pairing makes total sense for a cottage-style store. Few things feel cozier than spinning an album while you read on a gray afternoon.
Music lovers dragged along by bookworm partners suddenly have something to do. Everybody wins, and nobody stands by the door checking their phone.
Record players on site also help first-time vinyl buyers. You can pick up the turntable and your first album in one stop, which beats ordering and waiting.
Think about building a little themed haul. A novel set by the water, a mellow record, and a puzzle could cover a whole slow evening.
This section adds real personality to McLean & Eakin Booksellers. It shows the owners think about how people actually relax, not just what they read.
So browse the bins even if you came only for books. You might leave with the soundtrack for your next favorite novel, and your playlist will thank you.
Kids Get A Section Big Enough To Get Happily Lost In
Award shelves tell a story here. Back in 2000, the store won the Lucile Micheels Pannell Award for its creative children’s programming.
That focus on young readers still shows today. McLean & Eakin keeps extensive sections for children’s books and young adult titles.
Parents, this is good news for road trips. A new book can buy you a peaceful hour in the car, which is basically priceless.
Teens get real attention too. Young adult shelves give older kids their own space instead of squeezing them between picture books and grown-up fiction.
Puzzles for kids add another option. Some children would rather build than read, and that’s still screen-free time worth celebrating.
My tip is to let kids pick at least one book themselves. Choosing their own title helps reading feel like fun rather than homework.
Grandparents visiting northern Michigan can use this section as a secret weapon. Few gifts land better than a book a child chose with you.
And if the kids beg to come back tomorrow, take that as proof the section works exactly as planned.
Ask The Booksellers, Then Clear Space On Your Nightstand
Staff picks are a big deal in this shop. The team is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and quick with a recommendation.
That’s the real perk of an independent store. An algorithm guesses what you like, but a person can ask follow-up questions.
Tell them what you loved lately and what bored you. The more specific you get, the better your next read will probably be.
Reluctant readers might get the most out of this. A great suggestion can turn someone who hasn’t finished a book in years into a regular reader again.
Shopping for someone else? Bring a few details about their hobbies and favorite shows, because those clues help booksellers match the right title.
The store also runs a rewards program for customers. Frequent shoppers can sign up and let their stacks of books work in their favor.
It’s no surprise the place earned the Haslam Award for Excellence in Bookselling in 2004. Good advice has clearly been part of the deal for a long time.
Just leave room in your bag, since one recommendation rarely stays one.
A Family Story Lives Behind That Unusual Name
Two grandmothers gave this store its name. Founder Julie Norcross combined their maiden names when she opened McLean & Eakin Booksellers in 1992.
That detail explains a lot about the warm feel. The shop started as a family project and stayed one.
Julie’s son Matt and his wife, Jessilynn, both started working there full time in 2003. A few years later, around 2008 or 2009, they became the owners.
The store celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017. Lasting that long as an independent bookstore is no small feat in the age of online shopping.
National attention followed along the way. The Christian Science Monitor named it one of the top ten bookstores in the country.
Generosity runs deep too. Between 2000 and 2020, its 10% for Schools Program sent over $150,000 to local schools and nonprofits.
So every purchase here supports more than a shelf of paperbacks. It helps keep a family business and a community tradition going strong in Michigan.
Knowing that makes the new hardcover feel even better to carry home.
Book Clubs And Author Events Keep The Calendar Busy
Reading alone is great, but talking about books afterward is half the fun. This shop supports several book clubs, including the Cottage Book Club, Evening Book Club, and Ethic Book Club.
Each club gives readers a different way to connect. Some folks want a daytime chat, while others prefer an after-work gathering.
Author visits add extra sparkle to the calendar. Meeting the person behind a favorite story can make a book feel brand new.
Some events draw big crowds of devoted fans. The staff has hosted larger signings, so check the schedule early if a popular author is coming.
Visitors can plan around events too. Lining up a vacation day with a signing turns an ordinary trip into a story you’ll retell for years.
Locals get the biggest advantage. Joining a club is an easy way to meet neighbors who share your taste in stories.
Watch the store’s event listings before you head to Petoskey. A quick check might reveal a signing or club meeting perfectly timed for your visit, and that’s a pretty great bonus.
Plan A Full Downtown Afternoon Around This Stop
Coffee next door makes everything better. The bookstore sits beside Roast & Toast, a coffee and sandwich shop, which is ideal for a reading break.
You’ll find it at 307 E Lake St, Petoskey, MI 49770, in the historic Gaslight District. That downtown setting adds charm before you even reach the door.
Used book fans get a bonus stop. The Archives opened in 2025 just up the street at 325 E Lake St.
That secondhand shop accepts gently used books in certain genres for store credit. Bring a few finished reads and trade them for something new.
Hours are friendly for visitors. The main store opens daily, from 10 AM to 7 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday.
A smart plan looks like this. Grab a coffee, browse both floors, then walk to The Archives for a bargain hunt.
Petoskey is a lovely northern Michigan town for wandering anyway. With McLean & Eakin Booksellers as your anchor, the afternoon basically plans itself, and your book bag fills itself too.
